In collecting and harvesting cut bone from kerrison rongeur

ABSTRACT

A collector includes a container body defining an interior containment space and having an open end for access, and a cap in covering relation to the open end and having an opening for receiving therein a distal end of a kerrison-type rongeur. An improvement includes the cap including a first plurality of scrapers in the form of fingers for engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of the distal end of the rongeur and a second plurality of scrapers in the form of wipers for engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of the distal end of the rongeur when the distal end of the rongeur is withdrawn through the opening from the collector, the second plurality being arranged so as to permit insertion of the distal end of the rongeur through the opening into the collector without engaging the distal end of the rongeur.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Submitted concurrently herewith via the USPTO's electronic filingsystem, and incorporated herein by reference, are one or more computerprogram files of the computer program listing of the presentapplication. A table setting forth the name and size of each fileincluded in the computer program listing is included below.

File Name Creation Date File Size (bytes) ascify.txt 5/10/2016 8:4437473 drawing.txt 5/10/2016 8:44 1343316 radme.txt 5/10/2016 8:44 2593

One of these files, “readme.txt”, contains instructions for extractinginformation from another of the files, “drawing.txt”. This other filerepresents a compressed binary file that has been converted to asciiformat. This file can be converted back to a compressed binary fileutilizing assembly conversion program source code contained in the file“ascify.txt”. The readme file includes instructions for compiling andrunning this conversion program source code, and instructions forconverting the “drawing.txt” to the compressed binary file. Thecompressed binary file comprises a .zip archive including one or moreeDrawings files representing one or more computer models that can beopened using the publicly available eDrawings software from SolidWorks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the collection of cutmaterial from a rongeur and, in particular, the collection of bone froma kerrison rongeur. The following patent applications and patentapplication publications relate to the same subject matter: U.S.provisional patent application 61/975,698, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/679,903 and corresponding U.S. patent application publication no.2015/0282816 A1; and international patent application PCT/US15/24402 andcorresponding publication WO 2015/154060. Each of these applications andpublications is incorporated by reference herein.

As discussed in these incorporated references, rongeurs are surgicalinstruments for the cutting away of human tissue, and most commonly,cartilage and/or bone. “Kerrison” rongeurs are utilized in spinalsurgery to remove bone and to thereby gain access to the spinal canal,and rongeurs are well-known within conventional medical knowledge.Patent references disclosing and discussing kerrison rongeurs and theiruse in surgery include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,902,498; 5,026,375; 4,722,338;4,777,940; 4,777,948 and U.S. patent application publication2003/0216740.

With reference to FIG. 1a of incorporated U.S. patent applicationpublication no. 2015/0282816 A1 (hereinafter “the '816 Publication”), anexemplary prior art kerrison rongeur is illustrated. The kerrisonrongeur includes a first jaw member 10 that slides parallel to line Arelative to, and on top of, a second jaw member 20. The first jaw member10 included a distal cutting end having a cutting edge 15. The secondjaw member 20 includes a stop 40 for placement beneath the tissue to becut, which is generally bone or cartilage. A cutting area 30 is definedbetween the cutting edge 15 of the first jaw member 10 and the stop 40of the second jaw member 20. The first jaw member 10 includes an open,interior cross-section defining an enclosed area within which the bonetissue is received when cut. Such an exemplary cross-section isillustrated in FIG. 1b of the '816 Publication. As illustrated, thecross-section of the first jaw member 10 has a generally inverted Ushape.

In an exemplary use of a kerrison rongeur, a surgeon places the bone tobe cut, such as the leading edge of the lamina of a vertebra, within theopen portion of the distal end of the rongeur. The surgeon then squeezesthe handle of the rongeur, which advances a moveable jaw member of therongeur through and amputates a portion of bone. A surgeon may waituntil the jaw member becomes full of bone, at which time the rongeurmust be completely removed from the surgical site and passed to a scrubnurse or assisting technician for bone removal. The removal from theinstrument of the cut portion of bone often requires that the scrubnurse or assisting technician use a small rigid hook, or toothedforceps, and often further requires that the physician temporarilyrelinquish the instrument entirely to make such bone removal possible.Once cleaned, the instrument is returned to the surgeon who, inreturning it to the surgical site, must then reorient himself to thetask at hand. This sequence must then be repeated over and over again.Moreover, in a typical spinal fusion, this sequence may require as manyas 50 to 100 such repetitions.

Alternatively, a surgeon may present the distal end of the rongeur to ascrub nurse or assisting technician after each cut for removal of thebone, thereby avoiding bone build-up within the jaw member of therongeur. This can be done without the surgeon relinquishing the rongeurand without the surgeon removing his or her attention and focus from thesurgical site. Conventionally, the scrub nurse or assisting technicianmanually swipes the end of the kerrison rongeur with a sterile materialfor removing the cut bone. The scrub nurse or assisting technician mayrepeat the swiping of the cut bone multiple times before harvesting theswiped bone from the material used to perform the swiping. A gauzesponge may be used for swiping. Rather than swiping the bone from therongeur, a gloved hand may be used by the scrub nurse or assistingtechnician to directly remove the bone from the rongeur. Thereafter, theharvested bone from the patient may be used in the surgical procedure onthe patient, e.g., in autografts.

The '816 Publication discloses various apparatus and methods providing asafe, expedient, and efficient way for the cut bone to be removed fromthe kerrison rongeur and harvested by a scrub nurse or assistingtechnician. One or more aspects of the present invention improve uponone or more such apparatus and methods of the '816 Publication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of collection of bone from a kerrison rongeur, which ispreferred, the present invention is not limited to only such use, aswill become apparent from the following summaries and detaileddescriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

In an aspect of the invention, a collector used to collect cut bonecomprises: a container body defining an interior containment space forreceiving and retaining collected bone and having an open end for accessand removal of collected bone from the interior containment space; and acap in covering relation to the open end. The container may comprise avisibly transparent material and may include graduations to indicatevolume of collected matter in the container. The cap comprises anopening for receiving therein a distal end of a kerrison-type rongeur; afirst plurality of scrapers in the form of fingers for engaging anddislodging cut bone from a cutting area of the distal end of the rongeurwhen the distal end of the rongeur is received within the collector; anda second plurality of scrapers in the form of wipers for engaging anddislodging cut bone from the cutting area of the distal end of therongeur when the distal end of the rongeur is withdrawn through theopening from the collector, the second plurality of scrapers beingarranged so as to permit insertion of the distal end of the rongeurthrough the opening into the collector without engaging the distal endof the rongeur.

The first plurality of scraper may be in the form of a brush disposed onthe underside of the cap facing the interior of the container. The brushmay comprise plurality of bristles which may comprise individualmonofilament bodies. Moreover, the bristles may comprise a material thatis absorbable by the human body, as it is believed that a bio-absorbablebristle is beneficial in the event that a bristle becomes dislodged andmixed with the harvested matter from the tip of the kerrison rongeur,and thereafter is inadvertently introduced into a patient.

In a feature of this aspect, the opening is configured to allow thepassage of the tip of a kerrison rongeur of multiple sizes along withbone and other tissue matter carried on the tip.

In a feature, the scrapers of the first and second pluralities extenddownwardly from an underside of the cap.

In a feature, the opening is located on a first side of the cap, andwherein the first plurality of scrapers extends downwardly on anopposite side of the cap relative to the opening.

In a feature, each of the first plurality of scrapers includes aproximate portion relative to the underside of the cap and a distalportion relative to the underside of the cap, the proximate portionbeing less flexible than the distal portion in engaging and dislodgingcut bone from the cutting area of the distal end of the rongeur.

In a feature, the first plurality of scrapers forms a bristle field.

In a feature, each of the first plurality of scrapers extend from anunderside of the cap toward the interior containment space.

In a feature, the opening is located in the cap.

In a feature, the opening is located on a side of the cap.

In another aspect, a handheld collector used to collect cut bone from akerrison rongeur comprises: a cap; and a container. The cap comprises anopening dimensioned to receive there through a distal end of a kerrisonrongeur. The container of the collector comprises a generally elongatebody that is cylindrical in shape, and walls of the body define aninterior containment space of the container into which bone falls whendislodged from the distal end of a received kerrison rongeur. The capincludes at least two distinct areas of different pluralities ofscrapers for dislodging bone from the distal end of a kerrison rongeur.

In a feature, the cap is generally circular at a lower perimeter thereofand the opening extends an arc having an obtuse angle along theperimeter. The opening in the cap preferably is wide with respect to adiameter of the cap, and the arc preferably has an angle of between 130degrees and 140 degrees.

In a feature, the cap is attached to the container in an upper portionof the collector and is removable from the container.

In a feature, the cap is attachable to the container by way of threadson both the container and the cap, whereby the cap screws onto thecontainer. In particular, the cap comprises a threaded portion thatengages and mates with a threaded portion of the container when the capand container are screwed together.

In a feature, a gap extends between the different areas.

In a feature, a first plurality of scrapers similar or the same to eachother is located in a first area of the underside of the cap, whichfirst area is in close proximity to the opening, and a second pluralityof scrapers similar to each other is located in a second area of theunderside of the cap, which second area is further from the opening thanthe first area. The first and second areas preferably are arranged inspaced relation to each other such that a gap comprising an absence ofscrapers extends between the first plurality and the second plurality ofscrapers. Furthermore, preferably each scraper of the first pluralitycomprises a finger insofar as each scraper comprises a protuberance thatis elongate with generally oval cross-section; each such finger has astepped diameter between a proximal portion thereof and a distal portionthereof relative to the underside of the cap; and each scraper of thefirst plurality comprises a larger width at a proximal portion thereofand a smaller width at a distal portion thereof. The width of eachscraper of the first plurality may taper along the proximal portion,decreasing as a height-wise extent increases in a direction away fromthe underside of the cap; the width of the distal portion may taperalong the proximal portion, decreasing as a height-wise extent increasesin a direction away from the underside of the cap; or both.

In a feature, the width of each scraper of the first plurality tapersalong its overall height from the underside of the cap to its distalend. Alternatively, the width of each scraper of the first pluralitydoes not taper along its overall height from the underside of the cap toits distal end.

In a feature, the first area of the first plurality of scraperscomprises a grouping of the scrapers that collectively form a bristlefield.

In a feature, each scraper of the second plurality comprises scraper isseen to comprise a wiper having a length and a height that substantiallyexceeds a width thereof.

In a feature, the second area of the second plurality of scraperscomprises a grouping thereof collectively forming an arrangement ofteeth.

In a feature, the second area of the second plurality of scraperscomprises a grouping thereof collectively forming a row of teeth, witheach tooth being a wiper and with a gap extending between adjacentteeth. The row of teeth preferably is arranged along an arc generallyextending in close relation to a circumferential boundary of theunderside of the cap, and the second area of the second plurality ofscrapers preferably comprises a grouping thereof collectively forming asingle row of teeth. In other variations, the second area of the secondplurality of scrapers comprises a grouping thereof collectively formingmultiple rows of teeth.

In a feature, each scraper of the first plurality is more than twice theheight of each scraper of the second plurality in extending away fromthe underside of the cap. Preferably the height of the lower portion ofeach scraper of the first plurality is greater than the overall heightof each scraper of the second plurality.

In a feature, each scraper of the first and second pluralities issufficiently rigid so as to generally hold form when not engaged by adistal end of a kerrison rongeur and to generally dislodge bone found ina cutting area of a kerrison rongeur when the scraper is moved into orthrough the cutting area.

In a feature, each scraper of the first and second pluralities issufficiently flexible and resilient so as to generally deflect andbend—to various extents—upon abutment by and engagement with the distalend of a kerrison rongeur.

In a feature, each scraper of the second plurality is less flexible andresilient when compared to a proximal portion of each scraper of thefirst plurality.

In a feature, each scraper of the second plurality is less flexible andresilient when compared to a distal portion of each scraper of the firstplurality.

In a feature, a proximal portion of each scraper of the first pluralityis less flexible and resilient when compared to a distal portion of eachscraper of the first plurality.

In a feature, each scraper of the second plurality, and the proximalportion and the distal portion of each scraper of the first plurality,together are all formed from the same material by molding.

In a feature, each scraper of the second plurality, and a proximalportion and a distal portion of each scraper of the first plurality,together are all formed from the same material by injection molding.

In a feature, the scrapers of the first plurality and the secondplurality are integrally formed as a single component of the cap.Preferably the first component extends through a plurality of channelsformed in a second component of the cap which channels extend between anunderside of the cap and a topside of the cap; the first componentcomprises a topside portion located within a recess formed in a topsurface on the topside of the second component; and the topside portioncomprises an ornamentation including branding or a decorative element.

In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a cap for a collector—thecap comprising pluralities of scrapers that differ based on flexibilityand resiliency as well as arrangement and spacing between adjacentscrapers, comprises the steps of: providing a base component; andinjection molding an additional component onto the base component toform the cap, the additional component being molded in a shape defininga first area having a first plurality of scrapers defining a bristlefield and a second area having a second plurality of scrapers defining arow of teeth, with a gap comprising an absence of scrapers extendingbetween the first and second areas.

In a feature, the method of providing the base component comprises firstmolding the base component.

In a feature, the first component is overmolded on the base component.

In a feature, one or more of the base and additional components aremolded from one or more inert plastic materials.

In a feature, the material from which the base component is moldedcomprises a bio-absorbable material.

In a feature, each of the first plurality of scrapers protrude at leasttwice the extent to which each of the second plurality of scrapersprotrude.

In a feature, portions of the additional component extend throughchannels in the base component of the cap, the channels extendingbetween a topside and an underside of the cap. Preferably first andsecond portions of the additional component respectively extend onopposite sides of the base component, the first portion of theadditional component forming the first and second pluralities ofscrapers. The scrapers preferably are permanently affixed to the basecomponent on the underside of the cap and are not removable from the capwithout tearing of the additional component.

In another aspect, a collector comprises a container and a cap, whereinthe cap comprises pluralities of scrapers that differ based onflexibility and resiliency as well as arrangement and spacing betweenadjacent scrapers.

In a feature, a first plurality of scrapers each is shaped andconfigured in an arrangement to resemble a bristle field like that of abrush; and wherein a second plurality of scrapers each is shaped andconfigured in an arrangement to resemble a row of teeth, with the row ofteeth extending along an opening in the cap, with the bristle fieldlocated distal to the opening, and with a gap extending between the rowof teeth and the bristle field.

In a feature, the distal end of the rongeur is inserted through theopening in the cap without engaging any of the second plurality ofscrapers.

In a feature, the distal end of the rongeur is inserted through theopening in the cap at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 40degrees.

In a feature, the first plurality comprises fingers.

In a feature, the first plurality of scrapers forms a bristle field.

In a feature, each of the second plurality of scrapers is in the form ofa tooth.

In a feature, the second plurality of scrapers are arranged so as toform a row of teeth extending from the underside of the cap proximatethe opening in the cap.

In a feature, each of the first plurality of scrapers comprises abio-absorbable material.

In a feature, each of the second plurality of scrapers comprises abio-absorbable material.

In another aspect, a kit comprises an aforementioned collector and arongeur, wherein the collector is configured to collect cut bone fromthe rongeur of the kit.

Another aspect comprises a method of using an aforementioned collectorto collect cut bone. In another aspect, a method of collecting cut bonefrom a kerrison rongeur using a collector—the collector comprising acontainer having an interior containment space for catching bone and acap attached thereto in covering relation over the interior containmentspace, comprises the steps of: inserting through an opening in the capof the collector a distal end of a kerrison rongeur carrying matter cutfrom a patient; and dislodging the matter from the kerrison tip wherebythe matter falls into the interior space of the container and is therebycollected, by (a) causing the distal end of the kerrison rongeur toengage and be moved and rotated in engagement with scrapers of a firstplurality of scrapers, each of the first plurality extending from anunderside of the cap for dislodging bone from the kerrison rongeur, and(b) withdrawing the distal end of the kerrison rongeur from the capwhile engaging the distal end of the kerrison rongeur with scrapers of asecond plurality of scrapers, each of the second plurality extendingfrom an underside of the cap proximate a perimeter of the opening fordislodging any remaining bone from the kerrison rongeur, a gapcomprising an absence of scrapers extending between the first and secondpluralities of scrapers. The kerrison rongeur thereafter is removed fromthe collector for further use. Later when the harvested matter isneeded, the cap is unscrewed from the container and the matter, i.e.,bone in preferred implementations, is retrieved from the container.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collector used to collect cut bonefrom a kerrison rongeur in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective shaded view of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is another perspective shaded view of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the collector ofFIG. 1—the upper portion including a cap.

FIG. 3A is a perspective shaded view of the upper portion of thecollector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the collectorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a side elevational shaded view of the upper portion of thecollector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the upper portion of thecollector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cap of the upperportion of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a first component of thecap of the upper portion of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the first component of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cap of the upper portion of the collectorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a bottom shaded view of the cap of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the cap of FIG. 7 with areas of differentpluralities of scrapers schematically illustrated, including a void orgap that exists between the areas of different pluralities of scrapers.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second component of the cap of theupper portion of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collector used to collect cut bonefrom a kerrison rongeur in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cap of the collector of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the cap of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the cap of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is another side elevational view of the cap of FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the collector of FIG. 11 and portion ofa kerrison rongeur 6006 including distal tip thereof which has beeninserted into and received within the cap of the collector.

FIG. 19 is a photograph of a representative first component of a capplaced adjacent a penny to demonstrate preferred size.

FIG. 20 is a photograph of a representative container being held by handwith a representative second, base component having been screwed ontothe container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. As should be understood,any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore,any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” isconsidered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out thepresent invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed foradditional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, anyembodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention inany claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined bythe claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that thescope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined byreading into any claim a limitation found herein that does notexplicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theissued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), no claim element isintended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unlessthe explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in suchclaim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to applyin the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Additionally, as used herein, “cap” denotes “a lid configured to beattached to an object in covering relation to an interior containmentspace of the object”.

As used herein, a “scraper” is a brush, a group of bristles, aprotuberance, a barb, or a finger; and is sufficiently rigid so as togenerally hold form when not engaged by the distal end of a kerrisonrongeur and to generally dislodge bone found in a cutting area of akerrison rongeur when moved into or through the cutting area.Preferably, a scraper also is sufficiently flexible and resilient so asto generally deflect and bend to some extent upon abutment by andengagement with the distal end of a kerrison rongeur. A scraper may berelatively hard or soft within this range. Furthermore, a scraperpreferably comprises a bio-absorbable material in at least someembodiments of the invention. In this respect, a scraper may comprise abrush with bio-absorbable bristles which, if inserted into the body, areabsorbed by the body.

As used herein, “kerrison rongeur” denotes a rongeur having a distal endwith cutting area as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B of the '816 Publication,and the phrases “kerrison rongeur” and “kerrison-type rongeur” areintended to be used interchangeably when referring to the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

“Bristle Field and Teeth” Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld collector 5000 used tocollect cut bone from a kerrison rongeur in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Similarly, FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspectiveshaded views of the collector 5000, and FIG. 2 is a side elevationalview of the collector 5000. As seen in these drawings, the collectorcomprises a cap 5002 and a container 5004. The cap includes an opening5006 dimensioned to receive there through a distal end of a kerrisonrongeur.

Preferably, the cap is generally circular in perimeter and the openingand extends along an arc having an obtuse angle and, more preferably,the opening extends along an arc having an angle of between 130 degreesand 140 degrees. The container of the collector comprises a generallyelongate body that is cylindrical in shape, and walls of the body definean interior containment space 5008 of the container into which bonefalls when dislodged from the distal end of the kerrison rongeur.

An upper portion of the collector is seen in greater detail in FIGS. 3and 4 and corresponding shaded views of FIGS. 3A and 4A. In thisrespect, FIGS. 3 and 3A show a perspective view of the upper portion ofthe collector including the cap, and FIGS. 4 and 4A show a sideelevational view of the upper portion of the collector including thecap.

Additionally, FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of theupper portion of the collector; FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectionalview of the cap of the upper portion of the collector; and FIG. 9illustrates a bottom view of the cap of the upper portion of thecollector, of which FIG. 9A is a bottom shaded view thereof and 9B is abottom view thereof schematically illustrating distinct areas ofdifferent pluralities of scrapers; and FIG. 10 illustrates a perspectiveview of a component of the cap of the upper portion of the collector.

As perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, the cap includes a threaded portion 5010that engages and mates with a threaded portion 5012 of the containerwhen the cap and container are screwed together. The cap is therebyattached to the container in an upper portion of the collector and isremovable from the container.

In the preferred collector 5000, the cap includes at least two areas ofdifferent pluralities of scrapers for dislodging bone from the distalend of the kerrison rongeur, with a gap extending between the differentareas. With particular reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 9A, and 9B, a firstplurality 5014 of similar scrapers 5016 is located in a first area 5018of the underside of the cap that is in close proximity to the opening,and a second plurality 5020 of similar scrapers 5022 is located in asecond area 5024 of the underside of the cap that is further from theopening than the first area 5018. Moreover, the first and second areas5018,5024 are arranged in spaced relation to each other such that a gap5026 comprising an absence of scrapers extends between the firstplurality 5014 and the second plurality 5020.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 9A, and 9B, each scraper 5016 is seen tocomprise a finger insofar as each scraper comprises a protuberance thatis elongate with generally oval cross-section. Moreover, each suchfinger has a stepped diameter between a proximal portion 5030 thereofand a distal portion 5032 thereof relative to the underside 5031 of thecap (FIGS. 5 and 6). In this respect, such finger includes a largerwidth at the proximal portion and a smaller width at the distal portion.The width of such finger further tapers along the proximal portion,decreasing as a height-wise extent increases away from the underside ofthe cap. The width of the distal portion similarly may taper, and invariations between different embodiments of the invention thestepped-diameter may be omitted with the finger tapering along itsoverall height from the underside of the cap to its distal end. In stillother embodiments, it is contemplated that the finger may not taperalong its height. In any event, the first area 5018 of the firstplurality 5014 of scrapers 5016 itself preferably comprises a groupingof these fingers that collectively form a bristle field much like thatof a brush.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 9A, and 9B, each scraper5022 is seen to comprise a wiper having a length and a height thatsubstantially exceeds a width thereof. Moreover, as perhaps best seen inFIG. 9B, the second area 5024 of the second plurality 5020 of suchscrapers comprises a grouping thereof collectively forming a row ofteeth with each tooth being a wiper and with a gap 5028 extendingbetween adjacent teeth. The row of teeth is arranged along an arcgenerally extending in close relation to a circumferential boundary ofthe underside of the cap, perhaps as best seen in FIG. 9. Additionally,preferably one row of teeth is formed; however, it is contemplated thatmultiple rows of teeth or different arrangements of the teeth may beutilized within the broader scope of the present invention.

In comparison of each scraper 5016 to a scraper 5022, each scraper 5016in extending from the underside of the cap is more than twice the heightof each scraper 5022, which is perhaps best seen in FIG. 5. Indeed, asshown, the height of the lower portion of each scraper 5016 is greaterthan the height of each scraper 5022.

Each scraper is sufficiently rigid so as to generally hold form when notengaged by a distal end of a kerrison rongeur and to generally dislodgebone found in a cutting area of a kerrison rongeur when the scraper ismoved into or through the cutting area. Each scraper also issufficiently flexible and resilient so as to generally deflect and bendto some extent upon abutment by and engagement with the distal end of akerrison rongeur. A scraper may be relatively hard or soft within thisrange.

With respect to the preferred embodiment 5000, each scraper 5022 is lessflexible and resilient when compared to the proximal portion 5030 ofeach scraper 5016; and each scraper 5022 is less flexible and resilientwhen compared to the distal portion 5032 of each scraper 5016.Furthermore, the proximal portion 5030 of each scraper 5016 is lessflexible and resilient when compared to the distal portion 5032 of eachscraper 5016. These differences in the flexibility and resiliencycharacteristics preferably arise from the differences in the relativethicknesses of the scraper 5022, the proximal portion 5030, and thedistal portion 5032. The differences also may arise from differences inshape of the scraper 5022, the proximal portion 5030, and the distalportion 5032; from differences in the materials from which the scraper5022, the proximal portion 5030, and the distal portion 5032 are formed;and any combination of such possibilities.

In the preferred embodiment, each scraper 5022 and the proximal portion5030 and the distal portion 5032 of each scraper 5016 are all formedfrom the same material by molding and, preferably, by injection molding.Preferably, these scrapers are integrally formed as a single piece 5042of the cap 5002, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 5. Additionally, FIG. 10is a perspective view of the single component.

The single component 5042 extends through a plurality of channels 5044formed in a second, base component 5046 of the cap, to a top surface ofthe second component 5046, whereat the first component 5042 includes atopside portion 5048. The topside portion preferably is located within arecess 5050 formed in the top surface of the second component 5046 andcomprises an ornamentation including branding or a decorative element.FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the second component5046 of the cap, and FIG. 8 is a top view of this second component 5046.

In manufacturing the collector 5000, the cap 5002 preferably is made byinjection molding the first component 5042 on the second component 5046.The second component also preferably is first molded. Thus, one or moreof these components and even the container itself may be molded from oneor more inert plastic materials, for example. Furthermore, the materialspreferably are lightweight such that the collector is readilymanipulated by hand for dislodging bone from a distal end of a kerrisonrongeur that is received therein. Additionally, the collector may bedisposable, insofar as the collector may be used during a single medicalprocedure for a patient and then discarded in accordance with applicableHAZMAT protocols. Alternatively, one or more components of the collector(including all of the components) may be designed to be—and are able tobe—sterilized for reuse with another patient during another procedure.

Still yet in at least some manufacturing methods, the material fromwhich the first component—and specifically the scrapers thereof—ismolded also comprises a bio-absorbable material which, if inserted intothe body, is absorbed by the body.

By molding—and specifically overmolding—the component including thescrapers on both sides of the base component of the cap as well asthrough the channels in the base component of the cap, the scrapers arepermanently affixed to the base component on the underside of the capand are not removable from the cap without tearing of the overmoldedcomponent. As such, there is no need for assembly of the cap, and it isbelieved that the risk is reduced that one or more scrapers may becomedetached during aggressive engagement of the distal end of the rongeurwith the scrapers. Such manufacturing method further is believed toprotect against other product failures arising from other means ofattaching the scrapers within the cap.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collector 6000 used to collect cutbone from a kerrison rongeur in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. The collector 6000 is similar in structure to thecollector 5000 and includes a cap 6002 and container 6004. FIG. 12 is aperspective view of the cap 6002; FIG. 13 is a top view of the cap; FIG.14 is a side perspective view of the cap; FIG. 15 is a bottomperspective view of the cap; FIGS. 16 and 17 each is a side elevationalview of the cap; and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the collector 6000and portion of a kerrison rongeur including distal tip thereof which hasbeen inserted into and received within the cap 6002.

To demonstrate relative size, FIG. 19 is a photograph of arepresentative first component 7042 placed adjacent a penny 7070; andFIG. 20 is a photograph of a representative container 7004 being held byhand with a representative second base component 7046 screwed on thecontainer.

Yet another collector in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention is similar in structure to collectors 5000,6000 and isdisclosed in the computer program listing of the appendix, which isincorporated by reference herein.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that in each of thesepreferred embodiments represented in FIGS. 1-18, the cap comprisespluralities of scrapers that differ based on flexibility and resiliencyas well as arrangement and spacing between adjacent scrapers. Indeed, asseen herein, preferred embodiments each include a first plurality ofscrapers shaped and configured in an arrangement to resemble a bristlefield like that of a brush, and a second plurality of scrapers shapedand configured in an arrangement to resemble a row of teeth, with therow of teeth extending along the opening and with the bristle fieldlocated distal to the opening and with a gap extending between the rowof teeth and the bristle field.

From experimentation it has been found that this combination ofdifferent plurality of scrapers, i.e., the bristle field and teeth,advantageously removes more bone during use of a collector than thebristle field alone. In particular, it has been found that the methodof: inserting the distal end of the rongeur through the opening in thecap, preferably at an angle of 30-40 degrees, and preferably withoutengaging the teeth; then causing the distal end to engage and be movedand rotated within the bristle field; and, upon withdrawal of the distalend, then engaging the distal end with the teeth, results in a greateramount of bone being dislodged within the container than if the teethwere omitted from the collector.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, apatient advantageously is afforded his or her own bone for the fusionwhen a collector is used to harvest bone cut from the patient using akerrison rongeur. For example, lamina chips are clinically proven tohave both osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties conducive forbone fusion. By using a patient's own bone, there is less chance ofrejection, infection, and significant cost by not having to rely on bonesubstitute.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a collector used to collect cut bone, thecollector comprising a container body defining an interior containmentspace for receiving and retaining collected bone and having an open endfor access and removal of collected bone from the interior containmentspace; and a cap in covering relation to the open end, wherein the capcomprises an opening for receiving therein a distal end of akerrison-type rongeur, an improvement comprising: (a) the cap comprisinga first plurality of scrapers in the form of fingers for engaging anddislodging cut bone from a cutting area of the distal end of the rongeurwhen the distal end of the rongeur is received within the collector; and(b) the cap comprising a second plurality of scrapers in the form ofwipers for engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of thedistal end of the rongeur when the distal end of the rongeur iswithdrawn through the opening from the collector, the second pluralityof scrapers being arranged so as to permit insertion of the distal endof the rongeur through the opening into the collector without engagingthe distal end of the rongeur.
 2. The collector of claim 1, wherein thescrapers of the first and second pluralities extend from an underside ofthe cap.
 3. The collector of claim 1, wherein the opening is located ona first side of the cap, and wherein the first plurality of scrapersextends downwardly on an opposite side of the cap relative to theopening.
 4. The collector of claim 1, wherein each of the firstplurality of scrapers includes a proximate portion relative to theunderside of the cap and a distal portion relative to the underside ofthe cap, the proximate portion being less flexible than the distalportion in engaging and dislodging cut bone from the cutting area of thedistal end of the rongeur.
 5. The collector of claim 1, wherein thefirst plurality of scrapers forms a bristle field.
 6. The collector ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of scrapers extend from anunderside of the cap toward the interior containment space.
 7. Thecollector of claim 1, wherein the opening is located in the cap.
 8. Thecollector of claim 1, wherein the opening is located on a side of thecap.
 9. In a handheld collector used to collect cut bone from a kerrisonrongeur, the collector comprising a cap, and a container, wherein thecap comprises an opening dimensioned to receive there through a distalend of a kerrison rongeur, and wherein the container of the collectorcomprises a generally elongate body that is cylindrical in shape, andwalls of the body define an interior containment space of the containerinto which bone falls when dislodged from the distal end of a receivedkerrison rongeur, an improvement comprising the cap comprising at leasttwo distinct areas of different pluralities of scrapers for dislodgingbone from the distal end of a kerrison rongeur.
 10. The collector ofclaim 9, wherein the cap is generally circular at a lower perimeterthereof and wherein the opening extends along the perimeter an archaving an obtuse angle.
 11. The collector of claim 10, wherein the archas an angle of between 130 degrees and 140 degrees.
 12. The collectorof claim 9, wherein the cap is attached to the container in an upperportion of the collector and is removable from the container.
 13. Thecollector of claim 12, wherein the cap comprises a threaded portion thatengages and mates with a threaded portion of the container when the capand container are screwed together.
 14. The collector of claim 9,wherein a gap extends between the different areas.
 15. The collector ofclaim 9, wherein a first plurality of scrapers similar to each other islocated in a first area of the underside of the cap, which first area isin close proximity to the opening, and a second plurality of scraperssimilar to each other is located in a second area of the underside ofthe cap, which second area is further from the opening than the firstarea.
 16. The collector of claim 15, wherein the first and second areasare arranged in spaced relation to each other such that a gap comprisingan absence of scrapers extends between the first plurality and thesecond plurality of scrapers.
 17. The collector of claim 15, whereineach scraper of the first plurality comprises a finger insofar as eachscraper comprises a protuberance that is elongate with generally ovalcross-section.
 18. The collector of claim 15, wherein each such fingerhas a stepped diameter between a proximal portion thereof and a distalportion thereof relative to the underside of the cap.
 19. The collectorof claim 18, wherein each scraper of the first plurality comprises alarger width at a proximal portion thereof and a smaller width at adistal portion thereof.
 20. The collector of claim 19, wherein the widthof each scraper of the first plurality tapers along the proximalportion, decreasing as a height-wise extent increases in a directionaway from the underside of the cap.
 21. The collector of claim 19,wherein the width of the distal portion tapers along the proximalportion, decreasing as a height-wise extent increases in a directionaway from the underside of the cap.
 22. The collector of claim 19,wherein the width of each scraper of the first plurality tapers alongits overall height from the underside of the cap to its distal end. 23.The collector of claim 19, wherein the width of each scraper of thefirst plurality does not taper along its overall height from theunderside of the cap to its distal end.
 24. The collector of claim 19,wherein the first area of the first plurality of scrapers comprises agrouping of the scrapers that collectively form a bristle field.
 25. Thecollector of claim 15, wherein each scraper of the second pluralitycomprises scraper is seen to comprise a wiper having a length and aheight that substantially exceeds a width thereof.
 26. The collector ofclaim 15, wherein the second area of the second plurality of scraperscomprises a grouping thereof collectively forming an arrangement ofteeth.
 27. The collector of claim 15, wherein the second area of thesecond plurality of scrapers comprises a grouping thereof collectivelyforming a row of teeth, with each tooth being a wiper and with a gapextending between adjacent teeth.
 28. The collector of claim 27, whereinthe row of teeth is arranged along an arc generally extending in closerelation to a circumferential boundary of the underside of the cap. 29.The collector of claim 27, wherein the second area of the secondplurality of scrapers comprises a grouping thereof collectively forminga single row of teeth.
 30. The collector of claim 27, wherein the secondarea of the second plurality of scrapers comprises a grouping thereofcollectively forming multiple rows of teeth.
 31. The collector of claim15, wherein each scraper of the first plurality is more than twice theheight of each scraper of the second plurality in extending away fromthe underside of the cap.
 32. The collector of claim 31, wherein theheight of the lower portion of each scraper of the first plurality isgreater than the overall height of each scraper of the second plurality.33. The collector of claim 15, wherein each scraper of the first andsecond pluralities is sufficiently rigid so as to generally hold formwhen not engaged by a distal end of a kerrison rongeur and to generallydislodge bone found in a cutting area of a kerrison rongeur when thescraper is moved into or through the cutting area.
 34. The collector ofclaim 15, wherein each scraper of the first and second pluralities issufficiently flexible and resilient so as to generally deflect andbend—to various extents—upon abutment by and engagement with the distalend of a kerrison rongeur.
 35. The collector of claim 15, wherein eachscraper of the second plurality is less flexible and resilient whencompared to a proximal portion of each scraper of the first plurality.36. The collector of claim 15, wherein each scraper of the secondplurality is less flexible and resilient when compared to a distalportion of each scraper of the first plurality.
 37. The collector ofclaim 15, wherein a proximal portion of each scraper of the firstplurality is less flexible and resilient when compared to a distalportion of each scraper of the first plurality.
 38. The collector ofclaim 15, wherein each scraper of the second plurality, and a proximalportion and a distal portion of each scraper of the first plurality,together are all formed from the same material by molding.
 39. Thecollector of claim 15, wherein each scraper of the second plurality, anda proximal portion and a distal portion of each scraper of the firstplurality, together are all formed from the same material by injectionmolding.
 40. The collector of claim 15, wherein the scrapers of thefirst plurality and the second plurality are integrally formed as asingle component of the cap.
 41. The collector of claim 40, wherein thefirst component extends through a plurality of channels formed in asecond component of the cap which channels extend between an undersideof the cap and a topside of the cap; and wherein the first componentcomprises a topside portion located within a recess formed in a topsurface on the topside of the second component.
 42. The collector ofclaim 41, wherein the topside portion comprises an ornamentationincluding branding or a decorative element.
 43. A method ofmanufacturing a cap for a collector, the cap comprising pluralities ofscrapers that differ based on flexibility and resiliency as well asarrangement and spacing between adjacent scrapers, the methodcomprising: providing a base component; and injection molding anadditional component onto the base component to form the cap, theadditional component being molded in a shape defining a first areahaving a first plurality of scrapers defining a bristle field and asecond area having a second plurality of scrapers defining a row ofteeth, with a gap comprising an absence of scrapers extending betweenthe first and second areas.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein themethod of providing the base component comprises first molding the basecomponent.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the additional componentis overmolded on the base component.
 46. The method of claim 43, whereinone or more of the base and additional components are molded from one ormore inert plastic materials.
 47. The method of claim 43, wherein thematerial from which the additional component is molded comprises abio-absorbable material.
 48. The method of claim 43, wherein each of thefirst plurality of scrapers protrude at least twice the extent to whicheach of the second plurality of scrapers protrude.
 49. The method ofclaim 43, wherein portions of the additional component extend throughchannels in the base component of the cap, the channels extendingbetween a topside and an underside of the cap.
 50. The method of claim49, wherein first and second portions of the additional componentrespectively extend on opposite sides of the base component, the firstportion of the additional component forming the first and secondpluralities of scrapers.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein thescrapers are permanently affixed to the base component on the undersideof the cap and are not removable from the cap without tearing of theadditional component.
 52. A collector comprising a container and a cap,wherein the cap comprises pluralities of scrapers that differ based onflexibility and resiliency as well as arrangement and spacing betweenadjacent scrapers.
 53. The collector of claim 52, wherein a firstplurality of scrapers each is shaped and configured in an arrangement toresemble a bristle field like that of a brush; and wherein a secondplurality of scrapers each is shaped and configured in an arrangement toresemble a row of teeth, with the row of teeth extending along anopening in the cap, with the bristle field located distal to theopening, and with a gap extending between the row of teeth and thebristle field.
 54. In a method of collecting cut bone from a kerrisonrongeur using a collector comprising a container having an interiorcontainment space for catching bone and a cap attached thereto incovering relation over the interior containment space, the methodcomprising the steps of inserting a distal end of a kerrison rongeurthrough an opening in the cap of the collector, and causing the distalend of the kerrison rongeur to engage and be moved and rotated inengagement with scrapers of a first plurality of scrapers, each of thefirst plurality extending from an underside of the cap for dislodgingbone from the kerrison rongeur, an improvement comprising the furtherstep of withdrawing the distal end of the kerrison rongeur from the capwhile engaging the distal end of the kerrison rongeur with scrapers of asecond plurality of scrapers, each of the second plurality extendingfrom an underside of the cap proximate a perimeter of the opening fordislodging any remaining bone from the kerrison rongeur, a gapcomprising an absence of scrapers extending between the first and secondpluralities of scrapers.
 55. The method of claim 54, wherein the distalend of the rongeur is inserted through the opening in the cap withoutengaging any of the second plurality of scrapers.
 56. The method ofclaim 54, wherein the distal end of the rongeur is inserted through theopening in the cap at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 40degrees.
 57. The method of claim 54, wherein the first pluralitycomprises fingers.
 58. The method of claim 54, wherein the firstplurality of scrapers forms a bristle field.
 59. The method of claim 54,wherein each of the second plurality of scrapers is in the form of atooth.
 60. The method of claim 54, wherein the second plurality ofscrapers are arranged so as to form a row of teeth extending from theunderside of the cap proximate the opening in the cap.
 61. The collectorof any of foregoing claims 1-42 and 52-53, wherein each of the firstplurality of scrapers comprises a bio-absorbable material.
 62. Thecollector of any of foregoing claims 1-42 and 52-53, wherein each of thesecond plurality of scrapers comprises a bio-absorbable material.
 63. Amethod of using a collector of any of foregoing claims 1-42 and 52-53 tocollect cut bone.